Shifting and buffer mechanism for type-writing machines.



v W. R. FOX.

' S HIFTING AND BUFFER MECHANISM FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

Patented Dec. 7, 1915.

Z SHEETS-SHEET v APPLl CATlON men mus I. 1901.

w. R. FOX. 1 Z -SH|FT|NG AND BUFFER MECHANISM FOR TYPE WR|TING MACHINES.

APPLICATION HLED JUN; 7. 190]. 1,133,133.

' PatentedlDec,7,1915; Y

Z-SHEETS-SHEET 2- WILLIAM R. FOX, 01 GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

SHIFTING AND BUFFER MECHANTS M FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. F, 1915.

Application filed June 7, 1907. Serial No. 377,752.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM R. Fox, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Shifting and Buffer Mechanism for Type-Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification. a

This invention relates to improvements in typewriters and more especially to'improvements in front strike typewriters.

This invention relates particularly to the shifting mechanism for shifting the type bar support and the connected basket of such front-strike typewriters.

The objects of this invention are: first, to provide an improved construction of shiftable type bar support; second, to provide an 1 improved counterbalancing means therefor; third, to provide an improved guiding means for such type-bar support; fourth, to provide improved adjustable stops; and fifth, to provide such improved stops with suitable buffers for absorbing the vibration and avoiding noise.

Further objects and objects pertaining to minor details of construction will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

Portions of a typewriter embodying the features of my invention are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a detail viewof the partsof a typewriter involved in this invention, portions of the main frame being broken away to show the details of construction; Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the adjustable stop and buffer and guiding means, partially in section, taken on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the adjustable stops, partially in section, taken on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. i is a detail view, partially in section, of the counterbalance and adjusting mechanism, taken on a linev corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 1; 'and Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the adjusting means for putting tension on the counterbalance spring, partially in section,

taken on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

In the drawing, all of the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines,

and similar numerals of reference refer to carriage being of the non-shifting type,

carrying a platen 3, the general relations of which parts appear in Fig. 1.

The typebar support 4 is provided with a type basket 5 which is secured thereto by suitable means and is movable therewith. The type bar support 4 is carried on a pair of links 6 and a pair of rock shaft arms 7, the links connecting to the upper part and the rock shaft arms 7 to the lower partof the typebar support, one only of each pair being illustrated in Fig. 1, as the opposite pairs are identical and symmetrical.

The links 6 are connected by pivots 9 to the upper rear portion of the frame and the rock shaft arms 7 are carried-by the rock shaft 10 arranged transversely through the lower rear part of the frame. A key lever 11 provided with a connecting link 12, connects to an arm 13 on the rock shaft 10. The arm 13 and the arm 7 are integral and preferably connected to the same hub, but of course they may be made in separate pieces.

In a suitable recess on the side of the arm 13 is a screw 14: and on the shaft 10 is a spiral spring 15. At one end of the spring 15 and secured thereto is a worm gear 16, turning freely on the rock shaft 10 and engaged by the screw or worm 14, whereby the same can be adjusted. The opposite end of the spring 15 is secured at 18 to a depending hanger or support 17 which supports the center of the rock shaft 10; the upper end of this hanger being secured to the upper part of the frame 1. From this arrangement it will be seen that when the screw 14 is adjusted the tension on the spring 15 can be varied and it can be nicely adjusted so that the entire weight of the typebar support and the attached typebars and typebar basket can be substantially counterbalanced so that there will need be very little pressure applied to the button distinguished from any weight connection,

themomentum of the parts is reduced to the minimum. As heretofore constructed, the shifting of the type-bar support makes a great deal of noise, and it is also desirable to accurately limit and direct the motion of the typebar support. I accomplish this by planing a fiat surface 26 on each side of the typebar support, the opposite sides being symmetrical and parallel; and I form stops on the typebar support zit-19 and 20, a recess being shaped in each side for that purpose. A

bracket or arm 2lis formed on each side of the frame 1 of the machine and extends into the recess I have thus formed in each side of the typebar support. Transversely through this bracket I arrange the screw 27 so that its fiat head 28 is adjustable against the fiat guiding surfaces 26 to limit and direct the motion, and this is secured in place by the lock nut 29. This makes it possible to adjust this guiding means to locate the typebar support definitely within varying limits. In the top and bottom pf this projecting portion or arm 21 I provide adjustable stop screws 22 which are provlded with heads 23 having countersunk bores therein, into which I insert disks of sole leather which have been compressed and pounded to make them as compact as possible. This bufier should be very compact so that the typebar carrier is effectively stopped at an unvarying point. I find such compacted sole leather very efiective, but equivalent material may be-supplied. Boxwood or maple may be used, only such wood, or any wood, is not as durable and consequently not as efi'ective. These supports are adjustable and when placed in the right position are secured there by lock nuts 25, and, by this means, it will be observed that the movements and location of the typebar support can be regulated to a nicety and the compressed sole leather serves to absorb the vibration and avoid any metallic clicking, and, owing to the delicate counterbalance of the parts, a heavy blow is avoided and the buffer that I have provided is able to withstand the necessary wear and tear and is found to be suflicient to absorb largely the vibration and avoid, almost completely, the very objectionable noise owing to the employment of such shifting means.

I have shown an arrangement of parts which I have found to be exceedingly eifective in use when made in the exact form that I have here illustrated; many hundreds of machines having been provided with this device, so that it has been thoroughly tested. I desire to remark, however, that from my experience I am aware that the form of these various parts can be definitely varied without departing from my invention. I desire to claim the specific form of means, and also to present broad claims that would embrace such modifications.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure-by Letters Patent, is:

1.. In a typewriting machine, the combi nation of the main supporting frame; a nonshifting carriage with a platen thereon; a shiftable typebar support arranged beneath and toward the front of said platen, supported on pairs of parallel links and rock shaft arms; a rock shaft carrying said rock shaft arms; a spring counterbalance for said typebar support and connected parts; means for adjusting said counterbalance comprising a screw and worm gear; and a shift lever suitably connected for shifting said typebar support, substantially as described.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination of the main frame; a non-shifting carriage with a platen thereon; a shiftable type-bar support arranged beneath and toward the front of said platen; a counterbalance therefor; stops on said shiftable support, with 'a guiding surface between; projecting arms or brackets on the frame of the typewriter, with fiat-headed transverse screws to engage the flat guiding surface, with. locking means for retaining them in place; and adjustable stop screws in said arms or brackets, having recessed heads containing disks of compressed sole leather or equivalent material, adjustable to limit the motion of the said typebar support and absorb the vibration and avoid the'noise, coacting for the purpose specified.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination of the main frame; a non-shifting carriage with a platen thereon; a shiftable typebar support arranged beneath. and toward the front-of said platen; a counterbalance therefor; stops on said shiftable support; projecting arms or brackets on the frame of the typewriter; and adjustable stop screws on said arms or brackets, havingrecessed heads containing disks of compressedtsole leather, or equivalent material, adjustable to limit the motion of the said typebar support and absorb the vibration and avoid the noise, coacting for the purpose specified.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination of the main frame; a non-shifting carriage with a platen thereon; a shiftable typebar support arranged beneath and toward the front of said platen; stops on said shiftable support, with a guiding surface between; projecting arms or brackets on the frame of the typewriter, with flat-headed transverse screws to engage the flat guiding surface, with locking means for retaining' said screws inplace; and adjustable stop screws on saidarms or brackets having recessed heads containing disks of compressed sole leather, or equivalent material, adjustable to limit the motion of the said typebar support and absorb the vibration and avoid the noise, coacting for the purpose specified.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination of the main frame; a non-shifting carriage with a platen thereon; a shiftable typebar'support arranged beneath and toward the front of said platen; stops on said shiftable support; projecting arms or brackets on the frame of the typewriter; and adjustable stop screws on said arms or brackets, having recessed heads containing disks of compressed sole leather, or equivalent material, adjustable to limit the motion of the said typebar support and absorb the vibration and avoid the noise, coacting for the purpose specified.

6. In a typewriting machine, the combination of the main frame; a non-shifting carriage with a platen thereon; a shiftable typebar support arranged beneath and toward the front of said platen; stops on said shiftable support, with a guiding surface therebetween; projecting arms or brackets on the frame of the typewriter, fiat-headed transverse screws mounted in said arms to engage the flat guiding surface, and locking means for retaining said screws in place, coacting for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof, I have'hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses. Y

WILLIAM R. FOX. [1,, s1]

Witnesses ELLA DE Vnnes, LELIA BLAIN. 

